Cnoc Seoda the highlight as Queally records second double of career
Cnoc Seoda, trained by Queally’s father Declan Senior, provided him with his first winner in the opening Qualified Riders Maiden Hurdle.
This daughter of Dr Massini clearly appreciated the step up in trip and, given a beautifully judged waited ride by Queally, she hit the front at the second last and stayed on strongly from there to score by seven lengths at 5/1. The 7-y-o mare was recording her first racecourse success, but had won two point-to-points at Dromahane in November of 2009 and at Affane last November.
Queally had to wait until the sixth race, the inaugural running of the Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase, to complete his double where he partnered the Denis Murphy trained Commanchewardance to a surprise 16/1 victory.
This son of Indian Danehill won three point-to-points last year but had disappointed on his four efforts to date in 2012. Prominent throughout, he went clear in the home straight and ran on well to score by five and a half lengths from the 9/10 favourite Carthalawn.
On just his second ride 16-y-o Mallow native Jonathon Burke recorded his maiden success aboard 33/1 shot Trendy Gift in the Cork & Waterford Mares point-to-point bumper for his father Liam.
Having started his riding career earlier in the day when finishing down the field on Why Surrender in the fourth race, Burke wasted no time in getting off the mark as he hit the front a furlong from home aboard the 5-y-o daughter of Westerner before going on to score by three lengths.
His father and winning trainer Liam Burke said: “It is a dream start for him. He is in fifth year in Blackwater Community College in Lismore. This horse disappointed us in point-to-points but it must have been the trip as she just didn’t see out her races.”
After winning five point-to-point’s already this season for Co Down trainer Liam Lennon, Tammys Hill transferred that form on to the track when taking the three-mile Hunters Chase in convincing fashion under James Smyth (first racecourse winner).
Supporters of the 5/2 favourite never had a moments worry as he hit the front four fences from home before staying on well to score by seven lengths. Winning trainer Liam Lennon said: “If he comes out of this ok we will have a crack at making him the Champion point-to-pointer. He has five wins this season and is just one behind Backstage.
“He is only a 7-y-o and has plenty of time to go hunter chasing next season. The winning owner is Patrick Smyth from Banbridge, Co Down and his is a father to James (the winning jockey).”
De Dodger made up for an unfortunate defeat at Clonmel in March by taking the Qualified Riders Beginners Chase under Aine O’Connor for Askeaton, Co Limerick, trainer Seamus Braddish
The 9-y-o gelding, owned by Braddish’s son James, unseated O’Connor at the last at Clonmel on his penultimate start when he looked set for victory. The 9/2 favourite made no mistake yesterday however, as he hit the front two fences from home before staying on well to score by five lengths.
Elsewhere on the card the 11/8 favourite Minella For Value took the Pegus Horse Feed point-to-point final bumper in good style under James ‘Corky’ Carroll for Clonmel trainer John Nallen.
